Split Enz to reform

Split Enz have announced they will reform and play a five-city tour of Australia in June.

The influential pop band – who began in New Zealand in 1972 – last re-formed for a performance at their induction into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall Of Fame in 2002.

Speaking at a press conference in Melbourne today (February 1), co-frontman Tim Finn said that despite a total of thirteen lineup changes over Split Enz‘ original 12-year history, the band would be touring under the 1980 line-up which recorded their fifth album ‘True Colours’ – Finn and brother Neil, keyboardist Eddie Rayner, bassist Nigel Griggs, percussionist Noel Crombie and drummer Malcolm Green.

“I think (this line-up) built up a ‘critical mass’,” said Finn. “Some of the other line-ups were much more erratic and temporary. This one felt like a real band.”

Neil, who joined the band in 1977 and went on to form Crowded House after Split Enz‘ demise in 1984, added: “This line-up went to the depths of poverty and whatnot in England, and then had a peak of success, so we kind of went to both extremes. This is the lineup that saw it through.”